MacTiernan to leave parliament

Veteran Labor Party politician Alannah MacTiernan has confirmed she will not seek to stay in federal parliament after the election due later this year.

Ms MacTiernan has served as the federal member for Perth since 2013.

Her political career began in 1993, when she entered the Legislative Council representing the east metropolitan district, a position she held for a term.

Following that, she had held the state seat of Armadale for 14 years to 2010.

During that period she spent seven years as the minister for planning and infrastructure.

It is not yet known whether Ms MacTiernan, who had previously been touted as a potential state Labor leader, will return to state parliament.

However, Ms MacTiernan has called for the party to unite behind state leader Mark McGowan.

The retirement will bring an opportunity for renewal for Labor in WA, with federal member for Fremantle Melissa Parke also planning to leave at this year’s election.

It comes just a day after former Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss officially vacated his role as National Party leader, and in the same week Human Services Minister Stuart Robert (Liberal) resigned from his role following allegations about a trip to China.

Business News understands Labor Party national executive member Tim Hammond is considered the logical choice to succeed Ms MacTiernan.